The chains were excessively tight. Chilled metal pressed into my wrists while I was pulled through the magnificent hall of Silvermoon. Fighters stood along the walls, their gazes oscillating between intrigue and apprehension. At the far end of the room, on the elevated seat intended for our father, sat Dahlia. Her golden eyes shimmered in the faint torchlight, keen as a blade. “Daisy,” she whispered, propping her chin on her fists. “You're becoming careless.” I stood up straight, disregarding the pain in my shoulders. "Allow me to leave." She laughed softly, nearly melodious, yet it lacked any warmth. "Allow you to leave?" She waved slowly towards my restraints. “You entered Silvermoon stealthily with rogues behind you.” “What action should I take regarding you, traitor?” I tightened my jaw. “I’m not disloyal.” “Not?” She inclined her body forward. "Please clarify." I inhaled deeply, regaining my composure. "Dahlia, it's important that you pay attention." "The Neglected." S
The combat zone was a chaotic blend of blood, metal, and cries. Dahlia and I positioned ourselves back-to-back, battling like wolves ensnared in a blazing lair. Silvermoon fighters battled The Forgotten, yet something felt off. The figures shifted. Initially, I believed it was merely the glow of torches or the smoke ascending from the engulfed village on the periphery. Yet, I spotted them. Shadowy shapes blended into the combat zone, gliding among fighters like phantoms. After that, they launched an assault. One of Dahlia's men emitted a choked gasp, his sword falling to the earth. A warrior brandishing shadows moved away from him, his sword oozing dark ichor. The Forgotten had introduced something unnatural into this battle. “Dahlia,” I began, but she was already on the move. She twirled, slashing at a shadowy fighter. Her blade struck but went through like vapor. My stomach fell. "Moon of Silver!" “Stay on the line!” Dahlia’s voice echoed, strong and authoritative. "Elimi
The battlefield remained motionless. The Neglected fighters had ceased combat. The warriors of Silvermoon, bruised and breathing heavily, observed in anxious quiet. Even the shadows, which had caused chaos moments before, appeared to pull back into the night. At the heart of it all, he remained. High. Draped in black. An presence that captured focus. Gradually and intentionally, he raised his hand and removed his hood. A shared gasp echoed among the warriors. Dahlia tensed next to me, her breath quick and irregular. I was already aware. I realized the instant the atmosphere changed, the instant the shadows followed his command. The individual in front of us is the head of The Forgotten. It was Castor. Our relative. The betrayer. The banishment. Castor’s piercing stare scanned the battlefield, pausing on me, then on Dahlia. "So," he pondered, his voice rough as stone, "you both have finally come together." A grin played at the corners of his mouth. "What a poetic express
The initial scream sliced through the air like a knife. Then, turmoil broke out. Silvermoon fighters collided with The Forgotten in a whirlwind of teeth and metal. The earth shook under my feet as the battle genuinely started. Castor positioned himself at the center of it all, observing like a ruler assessing his realm. His golden eyes sparkled with contentment. Dahlia remained motionless. I couldn’t spare a moment to understand her uncertainty; the fight was underway. I crouched down when a rogue fighter surged at me, his claws cutting through thin air. Excessively sluggish. I turned, forcing my elbow into his side before crashing him to the earth. All around me, Silvermoon was tearing apart. A few warriors bowed before Castor, forsaking our father’s authority for strength. Some remained firm, supporting Rowan, Fenris, and me. "Stay on the line!" Rowan bellowed, striking his axe at an advancing foe. "They're advancing toward the fortress!" Fenris snarled, pushing a Forgotte
Castor’s eyes sparkled like those of a predator, keen and assessing. "You waver," he whispered, moving around me as if I were an injured animal. "I am able to see it." I tensed, determined not to display any vulnerability. The battle tent glowed with torchlight, the aroma of burning wood blending with moist ground. Outside, my warriors got ready for combat. My group. Yet, a void developed in my abdomen. "You confuse caution with uncertainty," I replied, maintaining a steady tone. Castor laughed softly. "Warning?" No, dear niece. "You have been doubting everything since your beloved sister came back." He inclined forward, his voice just a hush. "Tell me, Dahlia, do you honestly think Daisy will cease her struggle for that throne you hold onto so fiercely?" The space between us grew tense. Daisy. Her name once brought a sense of solace. Now it was a source of irritation for me. "I confessed that she desires what belongs to me." “Yet she won’t accept it.” Castor angled his head. "A
The atmosphere was heavy with strain. Wolves assembled in a close semi-circle, their gazes fixed on the quivering form in the middle. Kael, the head of The Forgotten, stood next to the prisoner, his icy stare scanning the gathered fighters. “This,” Kael stated, raising a smooth, dark-edged knife, “will alter everything.” The defiant prisoner crouched, muscles tensed in opposition. His breathing was uneven and labored. "You needn't go through with this," he snarled, yet Kael simply grinned. Dahlia remained off to the side, her arms folded, with an expression that was impossible to interpret. Castor stood next to her, observing with quiet approval. Kael plunged the dagger into the captive’s chest. A piercing howl erupted from the wolf’s throat. His body shook, his fur receding like mist fading in the breeze. The transformation was compelled from within him, his claws blunting, his instincts dulling. Once the shaking stopped, he stayed on his hands and knees, merely a man. No smell
The atmosphere was heavy with strain. Wolves assembled in a close semi-circle, their gazes fixed on the quivering form in the middle. Kael, the head of The Forgotten, stood next to the prisoner, his icy stare scanning the gathered fighters. “This,” Kael stated, raising a smooth, dark-edged knife, “will alter everything.” The defiant prisoner crouched, muscles tensed in opposition. His breathing was uneven and labored. "You needn't go through with this," he snarled, yet Kael simply grinned. Dahlia remained off to the side, her arms folded, with an expression that was impossible to interpret. Castor stood next to her, observing with quiet approval. Kael plunged the dagger into the captive’s chest. A piercing howl erupted from the wolf’s throat. His body shook, his fur receding like mist fading in the breeze. The transformation was compelled from within him, his claws blunting, his instincts dulling. Once the shaking stopped, he stayed on his hands and knees, merely a man. No smell
The inmate rested in the faint glow of the torch, his hands tied, his face inscrutable. His hair was a chaotic tangle, his face stained with grime and dried blood, but his golden eyes shone with something much more perilous than stubborn determination. I observed him closely, arms folded, my fighters poised and alert behind me. The smell of wet soil permeated the atmosphere, blending with the metallic flavor of blood. We apprehended him in the previous skirmish, seizing a supply convoy intended for The Forgotten. He didn’t struggle to break free, nor did he plead for forgiveness. Instead, he had accomplished something much more unexpected. He requested to talk to me. “You are Daisy.” His voice was raspy, yet firm. "The missing successor." "The omega that emerged from the remnants." I didn’t respond. Allowing my adversaries to witness my feelings was an error I no longer committed. "And who might you be?" "Soren." He moved a bit, evaluating the firmness of his bindings. "I previo
The world had contracted to the area between my arms and Dahlia’s motionless form. The turmoil of the battleground was a faint buzz, the shattered howls of wolves a subdued resonance. The only noise I could perceiving was my uneven breath while I held her, the blood on my hands had begun to dry yet still felt warm. “Dahlia,” I murmured, nudging her softly as if that would revive her. Her head tilted to one side, her formerly sharp eyes half-shut, the spark in them lost. No, no, no. My chest rose and fell as I held her tighter, pressing my face into her stained hair. "You must not abandon me." "Not in this way." A soft rasp emerged from her lips, and I paused. Gently, I withdrew, my heart racing. Her eyes partially opened, just a crack, and for an instant, she gazed at me not as an opponent, not as a competitor, but as my sister. “I’m here,” I stated, tears flowing down my cheeks. "I am here." Her lips were in motion, yet no sound emerged. I moved in nearer, eager to catch what s
The atmosphere was charged with crackling energy, a heavy weight that bore down on my chest with each breath. With each step I made toward the ritual chamber, the weight felt greater than before, as if the ground itself was plotting against me. On the battlefield, I observed Dahlia stumble, her body suffering from the same magic that consumed me. Our gazes locked for just a fleeting instant, and I noticed a spark of fear, a silent request, and something indefinable. “Dahlia!” I yelled, my voice consumed by the wailing gusts of the eclipse’s force. Before she had the chance to respond, Castor's voice boomed across the battlefield, intensified by the ominous magic enveloping him. “Wolves of Silvermoon, behold the beginning of a new age!” he declared, positioned at the heart of the whirlwind. His body started to change, the contours of his shape fading as the ritual took over him. “What is he up to?” Rowan yelled, tripping over to join me. I could hardly reply, my attention fixed o
The battlefield was filled with confusion. Wolves collided, fangs exposed and claws tearing in the strange glow of the eclipse. Shadows contorted strangely over the terrain, with the sun’s dim corona being the sole source of light on the bloodied ground. My heart raced in my chest as I battled through The Forgotten’s ranks, with Rowan alongside me. “Daisy, right behind you!” Rowan yelled, rushing ahead to block a rogue who had approached too near. I whirled, cutting through yet another foe before facing Rowan again. "We must continue to advance!" "Castor isn’t going to wait for us to discover him!" Rowan cleaned the blood from his face, his eyes filled with resolve. "We'll reach him." “However, if we don’t halt their armament, none of this will be important.” I nodded, looking at Soren, who was guiding a few people toward The Forgotten’s supply cache. His expression was determined, his actions exact as he and his group disappeared into the turmoil. "Best of luck, Soren," I whispe
The initial sliver of shadow moved across the sun, enveloping the battlefield in a strange dusk. The previously overwhelming clamor of readiness and whispers of anxiety turned quiet, supplanted by a silence so profound it seemed to breathe. My breath caught as I looked up at the sky, the universe seemingly pausing for what lay ahead. “We have no time left,” Soren stated next to me, his tone quiet yet determined. I agreed, clutching my weapon more firmly. "We proceed now." "Without any doubt." The initial howl shattered the quiet, a call from our scouts marking the commencement of the assault. The noise was instinctive, unrefined, and it sent a chill through my body. "Let's wrap this up," I snarled, spearheading the attack. Within the stony confines of Silvermoon, Dahlia glided like a shadow, her movements stealthy and precise. She trailed Castor through twisting hallways, her senses amplified as the eclipse's power coursed through her. The murmurs in her head grew louder, nearly
The sky was unsettled, marked with shadows that grew darker with each passing moment. I remained at the perimeter of the battlefield, the heaviness of the air compressing my lungs. The eclipse approached, its energy surging through my veins like a warning I was unable to overlook. I tightened my fists, steadying myself as the ground beneath my feet shook. Surrounding me, the whispers of my companions broke the silence, a soft resonance of anxiety, resolve, and the delicate hope that this wasn’t the conclusion. “Daisy,” Fenris’s voice shattered the quiet. He positioned himself next to me, his expression serious yet composed. "The rest are waiting." I nodded, pulling my eyes away from the dimming skyline. “Let’s complete this.” Within the war tent, the atmosphere was heavy with tension. A temporary table displayed a map of Silvermoon, its landscape outlined with quickly sketched lines and circles. My most reliable companions Fenris, Rowan, Soren, and several others gathered around i
The moon loomed large in the heavens, its borders engulfed by darkness as the eclipse started. Shadows swelled across the battlefield, not merely a physical darkness but an overwhelming, alien presence that weighed on my chest and screamed in my ears. I sensed it deep within me, a chilling vibration of energy that ignited every nerve. By the way the fighters near me tensed up, I realized they sensed it as well. “This feels unnatural,” Fenris growled, exposing his teeth. He stood next to me, his knuckles pale gripping the handle of his sword. “No, it isn’t,” I replied, my voice scarcely heard over the increasing wind. I raised my eyes to Silvermoon, its lofty walls a striking outline against the crimson sky. Somewhere in that space, Castor was orchestrating the movements, and Dahlia... Dahlia was expecting. "Postures!" I yelled, compelling myself to concentrate. “Gather together and maintain your position!” The group quickly arranged themselves, with wolves transforming into their
The breeze cut sharply across my face, bringing the aroma of pine and the faint buzz of unease. We advanced together like a pack of wolves in human and altered shapes, their breaths misting in the frigid air. Each step seemed weightier than the previous, making us feel as though we were being pulled toward the conclusion. “Silvermoon is located just over that hill,” Soren stated, speaking softly. He gestured toward the uneven row of trees in front. "The external defenses will be dispersed, yet they will be aware of our approach." "They consistently do." Fenris walked alongside me, his shoulders rigid and his jaw clenched. His typically serene demeanor had fractured in recent days, exposing something unrefined beneath the exterior. "You're really silent," I remarked, looking at him. He made a grunting sound but didn’t reply. "Fenris," I urged, softening my tone. “What are you thinking about?” He reduced his speed, letting the others move in front of us. When he finally began to s
The evening atmosphere was heavy with unease, the far-off cries of wolves cutting through the stillness. Daisy positioned herself close to the camp's border, gazing at the shadowy horizon. The burden of her decisions weighed down significantly on her heart. Each choice she faced seemed like another risk, and she was losing time to wager judiciously. Footsteps stirred behind her. Fenris drew near, his face faintly illuminated by the flickering flames. “We have an intruder,” he stated, his voice taut yet composed. "An elder hailing from Silvermoon." States he has something to convey to you. Daisy's forehead creased. "A senior?" Here? “From Silvermoon?” Fenris agreed. “He states it’s critical.” Daisy promptly accompanied him to the heart of the camp. The fighters had assembled, whispering to one another while they watched the hooded individual by the flames. The old man's hands shook gently, his face etched with years and fatigue. “Who is it that you are?” Daisy insisted, moving ah
The campsite was still, aside from the muted moans of the wounded. Daisy sat close to the fire, gazing at the dancing flames. The burden of the ambush enveloped her like a dense mantle. Surrounding her, the warriors still present murmured in low voices, their uncertainty slicing through the atmosphere like a knife. “She's powerful, but is that sufficient?” one voice whispered. "Another person mentioned, 'We’ve already lost countless others.'" "Perhaps we ought to minimize our losses and depart." Daisy’s jaw grew tense. She compelled herself to appear composed, yet her heart was racing. Fenris drew near, his expression serious. "You've listened to them," he remarked, taking a seat next to her. "I've listened," Daisy responded, maintaining her tone calm. He moved in closer. "They aren't mistaken, Daisy." We’re outnumbered, outclassed. Perhaps it's time to retreat and gather in a more secure location. "We cannot protect Silvermoon in this manner." She faced him, her eyes burning w